Blaise Metreweli becomes Britain’s first female MI6 Chief as Intelligence Landscape Evolves
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London: For the first time in its 116-year history, Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service has appointed a woman to lead its foreign spying operations. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday named Blaise Metreweli as the next chief of MI6 agency founded in 1909.
Metreweli currently heads the agency’s technology and innovation division. She will officially step into her new role this autumn, succeeding Richard Moore, who led MI6 for the past five years. At 47, she becomes the only member of the organization whose identity is publicly acknowledged, assuming the post known simply as "C."
After the announcement Metreweli expressed her gratitude, “I am proud and honored to be asked to lead my Service.”
Prime Minister Starmer described the selection as “historic.” The domestic security service MI5 has previously been led by Stella Rimington and Eliza Manningham-Buller, while Anne Keast-Butler took charge of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in 2023.
Her predecessor, Richard Moore, who came to the role from a distinguished diplomatic career, publicly expressed hope that his successor would help advance gender equality within the intelligence services. Last year, he noted on social media that he hoped to be “the last C selected from an all-male shortlist.”
The selection process for the MI6 chief began in March when the head of the civil service invited government departments to submit nominations. Candidates from across the intelligence community, civil service, diplomatic corps, military and law enforcement were considered. Metreweli, an internal candidate with a 25-year tenure in espionage, a Cambridge University degree in anthropology and a background in cutting-edge technology. She was also a member of the women’s rowing team during her university days.
"At a time of global instability and emerging security threats, where technology is power and our adversaries are working ever closer together, Blaise will ensure the U.K. can tackle these challenges head on to keep Britain safe and secure at home and abroad," said Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who is ministerial responsible for MI6.
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Mangaluru: Bajpe police arrests young man for alleged derogatory posts against police
Bajpe: Police have arrested a youth for allegedly posting derogatory and defamatory content against the Bajpe police on social media.
The arrested accused has been identified as Abhishek M. (23), a resident of Katipalla, Surathkal.
According to the police, Abhishek posted a photograph of Bajpe Nisarga Hotel on his Instagram account mr_a_titude_22, alleging that accused persons in a murder case under the jurisdiction of the Bajpe police station were being treated “like royalty” by the police and were being served beef meals from the hotel every day. In his post, he further accused the police of colluding with criminals and misusing their authority, stating that public trust in the police was being betrayed.
Following which, the Bajpe police registered a case and arrested the accused.
Police records reveal that Abhishek is already facing multiple criminal cases. A case of murder, attempt to murder, assault and robbery has been registered against him at the Surathkal police station. At the same time, a robbery case has also been registered at the Kaup police station.
After his arrest, Abhishek was handed over to the custody of the CEN police for further investigation. He was later produced before a court, police said.
